Sent by:Alan Farnworth
Sent from:Caserta, Italy
Date of letter:8 May 1945
"Yesterday we were all working as usual on the top floor of the Royal Palace when the news spread round like wild fire that the war had ended - it had been picked up from a German Radio Station and the news wasn't really official"
This letter written on VE Day was sent by my father Corporal (later Sergeant) Alan Farnworth who was serving in the RAF at the Mediterranean Allied Air Force HQ at Caserta Palace, Italy. This is where the surrender of German forces in Italy was signed on 29th April 1945.
My dad served from 1940 -46 in this country and overseas and was Mentioned In Dispatches for Devotion to Duty in his work in administration and planning.
This letter is one of many – mainly the correspondence between my father and his parents to Manchester, England throughout the war.
Transcript:
V.E. Day Tues 8th May 1945
My dear Mother, Dad,
Well folks, it is very nice to write to you on this day & to say that the war in Europe is over - the greatest news that everyone has been waiting for. Yesterday we were all working as usual on the top floor of the Royal Palace when the news spread round like wild fire that the war had ended - it had been picked up from a German Radio Station and the news wasn't really official. However, everyone was very excited & we all gathered to the windows & sheets & sheets of papers were torn up in tiny bits & thrown out into the Courtyards. All different kinds of paper were torn up (including toilet rolls) as we hadn't got any streamers. Jeeps & cars (belonging to high ranking officers) were full of waste paper. It certainly was a great day - officers shook hands with us & told us that we could pack up work straight away & have 48 hours off. We were not allowed out of camp last night, nor can we go out for 48 hours. There was quite a celebration on the camp last night & a number of the boys were much the worse for drink. You can't expect to stay sober on this deadly Italian wine. I didn't touch any of it & I had the laught on the poor blighters this morning! I am writing this letter in our Quiet Room & I am trying to get it finalised before Churchill speaks at 3.0pm. The weather is exceptionally hot today, so we have all changed into the tropical kit. This is my third [unclear] for it. We have been pulling the boys legs that have just come out & are wearing tropical kit for the first time! I have been picked to go on the Victory Parade tomorrow & we have to wear our best blue (in this weather). Field Marshall Alexandra will be present. I wonder how long it will be before they start getting us home. I really don't think I will get back for another 12 months becasue as you can imagine there is quite a lot to do out here yet, clearing up etc. & with me being in Group 37. Still the war is over & that is the main thing. The Government can now put the release plan in operation. I feel certain that I won't go out to the Far East. Let me know what the celebrations were like at home. Please keep one or two of the newspapers announcing VE day, because they will be history in a few years time. When I was in Rome I bought quite a number of Guide Books. PPC etc so I sent them off to you last week. There was also a bracelet &
Well mum & dad This is all for now. It is a treat having today & tomorrow off I think I will enjoy going on "Alexs" parade. God Bless you. All my love, Alan
Very many happy returns of the 4th May
Back to list
